Imran's Sunday Kitchen - Cheese chicken fry

Disclaimer from Sunday Chef: This recipe is tried and tested!!!  

Ingredients

Chicken – 6-10 pieces

Ginger-garlic paste – 2 tea spoon

Garam masala powder - 1 tea spoon

Chicken masala powder – 1 tea spoon

1 Cheese slice/cube – grated

Eggs – 1

Cornflour/maida – 150 ml

Oil – 4 table spoon

Method:

Marinate chicken with all ingredients (except oil) and keep it aside for an hour. Later shallow fry chicken pieces till they turn golden and serve it hot with onion rings, lemon and melted cheese.   

Knitting dreams

When we think of an orphanage, the first picture that comes to our mind is of lots and lots of children running around, playing with toys, busy in their own world. And that is what we expected while entering Uthavam Ullangal, a home for 40 orphan children. 

 

 We (FLORA) offered groceries worth Rs 5506 to the center, which would meet their grocery requirement for the whole month. They accepted our offerings with full gratitude and satisfaction. On 21st August, we reached Uthavam Ullangal by 3 pm, thinking we would be surrounded by cute kids, as it happened at Good Life Center last month.

But to our surprise the center was quite and calm, and the frolicking children were nowhere to be seen. The caretaker informed us that all of them are sleeping after lunch. We went inside a hall where we found the children knitting dreams of a better future.

And we wished may God fulfill their dreams.

Enchanting Kutta

On the way to Kutta

Planning trips and canceling had become a regular affair for me in the past one year, for various reasons. My IRCTC profile showed more cancellation than booking status. I had even cancelled my Munnar trip that I had planned on my 1st Marriage Anniversary. Despite this, the weather back at home remained pleasant, no thunder storm (God! thanks for giving such an understanding wife – touchwood!!), though I felt really bad for canceling my anniversary trip. Therefore, this year I decided that I’ll definitely take my wifey for a trip to spend some quality time together.

A tree house near Nagarhole National Park

 The search started… Kodaikanal, Ooty, Munnar (again), Chikmagalur, Coorg etc... But this year my main priority was to cut-down driving time as my wifey’s health does not permit her to take-up long journey. Out of short-listed places she chucked-out Kodai, Ooty, Munnar, Chikmagalur on the basis of distance and commercialization of place. So unanimously we zeroed a place called Kutta in Coorg - nearer to Bangalore and better drivability. Searched details about Kutta and got plenty of info - route, homestay details (though found a few) and nearby places to visit.

 

On 14th April, I reached Bangalore early morning at 4.10 am (I’m posted in Chennai). After resting for a while, we dumped the baggage in my wagon (which I had serviced and kept ready a week ago). Started onward journey to Kutta at 6.00 am (one hour late than planned). Since it was early morning and less vehicles on road, it took just half-an-hour to reach Mysore road from Jalahalli West. From there it was a smooth sail till we took a right turn after Srirangapatna towards KRS Dam. This route connects SH-88 near Army cantonment area on Mysore-Hunsur highway (a humble request, avoid this route). Though, there is less traffic on this stretch, yet the road is in bad shape.

 Route taken:

 

Bangalore-Mysore road-Srirangapatna-towards KRS-Hunsur-Nagarhole-Kutta.

 

Best route:

 

Bangalore-Mysore bypass (right from Columbia Asia hospital)-Hunsur-Nargarhole-Kutta.

 

After crossing Srirangapatna, we took a right towards KRS dam (first mistake), which connects SH-88. The road is not is good shape, single lane, unexpected potholes and uneven patchwork till you touch SH-88 (near Army cantonment on Mysore-Hunsur highway). It took about 45 minutes to complete this stretch. However, once on SH-88 the drive was smooth again, we reached Hunsur in half-an-hour. Before reaching Hunsur town there is a deviation. Straight road takes you to Madikeri while the left deviation goes towards Hunsur town. We took a left and proceeded towards Hunsur bus stand and after crossing the bus stand we took a left turn from Bharath Petrol pump (this is the place to watch out). Highly recommend to fill up the tank before leaving Hunsur, as there is no single petrol pump in Kutta.

 

 

At Nagarhole National Park entrance gate - giving chai-pani

 

Since my wagon was holding half tank petrol I thought that would be sufficient enough (second mistake). Kutta is around 60 kms from Hunsur town. Around 10:00 am we reached the Nagarhole National park. Entered vehicle number, number of travelers, to and fro details and a tip of Rs 20 for chai-pani. Guard at the entrance gate informed: No horn, No music, No parking!!! I nodded and moved on, completely deserted road. I was constantly maintaining speed at 30-40 kms in-order to capture some shots. I was very excited and optimistic to see a big cat on the way.

But I was not that lucky; though saw a few deer, a bunch of black face langur, a big size squirrel and a tusker. In this route, there is a deviation after crossing Murkal, and we maintained left and continued towards Kutta (as instructed by the homestay owner where we stayed).

Vimala Estate - Homestay

 

At the park’s exit, entered the same details again. We reach the homestay at 10:45 am, which was roughly about 2 kms from the exit gate of national park towards Kutta town. Before starting from Bangalore we had blocked a room at Vimala Estate, run by Mr. Narendra Pattu (a Coorgi Bhramin), nice place to stay with all basic amenities.Tiled roof house situated in the middle of the estate spread over 20 acres of land.

 

The package was - Rs 750/per person/day with three time meals (Coorgi cuisine – non-veg/veg both).

At Vimala Estate

Day 1:

 

After having lunch we decided to stay back and relax since my wifey was tired after four and half hour's journey (with one break at MTR for breakfast). Evening we decided to see Kutta town and go till Irpu falls (6 kms from estate). We started from estate at 5:00 pm, crossed Kutta town and continued towards Manchalli. The road is almost in battered condition till the falls. Reached Irpu fall at 5:30 pm, but the gates were closed at 5:00 pm. And we decided to comeback next day morning. Back to estate and went for a walk near by. Climate was not as bad as in Bangalore and Chennai during day time, but after 7:00 in the evening there was a thunder break and it started pouring heavily for the next couple of hours. Enjoyed the thunder showers to the fullest.

 

Day 2:

 

Our day started with a cup of hot filter coffee. After sipping the coffee we started towards Irpu falls. Day starts too late at this small town, hardly one or two tea stalls were open. Reached Irpu falls at 7:45 am, paid Rs 50 for car parking and entrance ticket for two.

 

From the entrance, it is half a km walk inside the forest area. We were the first to reach the spot early in the morning. Tourism department has ensured proper steps, concrete path and a hanging bridge to reach the falls.

On the way to Irpu falls

Due to heavy downpour the previous night, water flow was in good force. We spent good 3 hours there enjoying nature and calmness. Way back to estate we stopped at a hotel run by a Malayali in Kutta town and enjoyed hot Kerala parotas and meen curry (fish curry). Kutta is hardly 5 kms from Kerala border. 

At Irpu Falls

Reached estate by 12:00 am, had breakfast and packed our bags for return journey. But my worry was the level of petrol (which was less than a quarter) left in my Wagon.

Enquired with Mr. Pattu -

 

Me: Sir any petrol pump nearby?

 

Mr. Pattu: “No Petrol pump in Kutta. You’ll find a few shops in town selling petrol in Black”.

 

Me: How safe to use that petrol?

 

Mr. Pattu: Not a problem, they get it from Kerala. 

Felt relieved, but I was unable to convince myself to use that petrol in my wagon. After clearing bills (Rs 1500/two people/per night) and exchanging good wishes with Mrs. and Mr. Pattu we started at 12:35 pm. Went back to Kutta town and bought two liters petrol in a separate bottle (for emergency), though my wife was confident that we’ll reach Hunsur with the available petrol in tank. And she was right (her judgment was better than mine).

We reached Hunsur-Mysore road by 1:45 pm and filled the tank at Indian oil pump. Reached Bangalore at 5:00 pm with a single stop at MTR for lunch.

 Over all, the short trip was a refreshing change for both of us from the usual office work and busy city life.

 

Imp points:

• Only one Canara Bank ATM at Kutta town, so keep sufficient cash.
• No Petrol pump, so fill up the tank at Hunsur before proceeding further

 

Total Distance:

235 kms (one side)

 

Homestay:

Vimala Estate

Mr. Narendra Pattu

Mobile: 9945286608

Toys are children’s best friend

As a child we all have played with various types of toys and learning kits, but as we grow up our choice of selecting toys change. And after a certain period of time we move out of the world of toy and make new friends in society. But, have we ever thought of a life where speed of our growth subsides? Where the mental ability of a 12-year-old child stands equal to the child half of his/her age group? Instead of having friends in school and in the locality, he/she remains in a room with a few toys and learning kits throughout their life?



No, we cannot even imagine such a life because we are normal. But that is the condition of a mentally challenged kid. Medically such children learn to sit up, to crawl, to walk or to learn to talk later than normal children. Might be true, but our experience at Good Life Center says “they very well understand what we talk and respond accordingly”.

Established in 1996, Good Life Center is a home for newly born orphans, mentally and physically challenged children and homeless children. There are 136 children in Good Life family, of which 36 are mentally challenged. But they have one thing in common – they all are neglected by the society. So to make them feel as a part of society and see smile on their faces we went to Good Life Center last week. We contributed a small amount of Rs 6000 in the form of toys, learning kits, biscuits and chocolates to the children.



Before meeting the mentally challenged children we thought of enjoying some light moments with the other kids in the center. Most of the children were brought to this center from the roadside, railway stations, bus stands and various other parts of the city. When we started distributing toys and chocolates to these kids the joy and happiness was evident on their faces.



A few of them were naughty, as children should be, and they playfully tried to snatch the chocolates from our hands. We spent a really good time with these kids.

Then we went to Maharshi Ramana Hall to spend time with the mentally challenged children. All of them were busy in their own world. We distributed biscuits and learning kits to them. There was no rush from these children.



Very quietly and with respect they accepted the biscuits from us, and a few asked for more which we happily gave them. They opened the learning kits and went on an exploration task. They made it clear with their actions that they don’t want anyone’s help in fixing the blocks. We noticed the glow of happiness on their faces as soon as they completed setting the blocks. They proudly showed us the finished set to us as an achievement. Yes, that was a big achievement for them. “One kid was so fond of our camera that after finishing every task he asked us to take his photograph and we took many photos of him”.



After spending a day with these wonderful kids, when we were about to leave they said “bye” in a chorus, which still echo in our ears. We left that place with a feeling of emptiness in our hearts but that feeling vanished when we saw the smiling photos of those naughty and adorable kids.

*I wish that we take our children to such houses next time so that they learn the lesson of equality and sharing. Let us cultivate the habit of sharing happiness among our children to help others who are in need.

Need a supportive hand – a small initiative

What does an old age person or an orphan want?
– A helping hand.

That is our motive behind forming FLORA (Fullness of Love Offered on Righteous Activities), to extend our little help and support to the needy.



FLORA came into existence in 2009 when five likeminded people (from Macmillan) decided to implement the famous phrase in their life – Charity begins at home. Starting with a minimum amount of Rs 100 per person per month they contributed their first offering of Rs 1500 to Little Sisters convent, Chetpet, Chennai, for old age people.

But an undefined rule always remained among the five that no one will remind the other to contribute money. The feeling of “Sharing” should come from within. Slowly more hands joined the initiative (within the company), and more ideas, thoughts and energy started pouring in. Headcount increased to 65 people, but rules remained the same.

First day of every month (the salary day) we contribute towards FLORA.
We don’t remind anyone to contribute for the month.
There is no fixed minimum amount for contribution.
Every one is free to contribute any amount whether it is Rs 10 or Rs 1000.

You must be thinking what is new in extending monetary help towards orphanages and old age homes – so many people do the same thing.



We agree with you, but the difference is that we not only give monetary help to such institutions but spend one weekend in a month with the members of such homes. Because we believe that more than monetary support they need love and affection. They need someone to talk to, to express their views, happiness and sorrows. These are not just words; we experienced this when we were at Brothers of Mine, at Thirunindravur, Chennai.

Brothers of Mine is a house of 23 aged people. We heard about this place through word of mouth. This institution is nowhere visible in the world of web. The building of this home was constructed four years ago but has not been painted till now. Reason: there are more vital necessities pending than painting the building. We contributed Rs 5004 toward utensils and food (such as 27 litre Premier pressure cooker, kadai, karandi (cooking spoons) and biscuits). Members of this house belong to different age groups. A few of them are on the top list of senior-most citizens – 90 plus, but they are more lively than people of our age. A man of 90 plus age turned very emotional when we conversed with him. He held our hands and kissed them. We felt the pain of his loneliness. But somewhere in the corner of our hearts we felt relieved thinking at least we gave him a day of happiness. We spoke to each and every member of the house and noticed how enthusiastic they were while talking to us on various subjects.


Out visit to Brothers of Mine forced us to think deeply on the subject and shortlist the orphanages and old age homes that we would like to approach in the coming months. After this visit we decided not to approach the institutions which are well-established and whose requirements are more towards improving the well-being/comfort of inmates. We need to reach out to those institutions that are not in the Government’s aid list, those who don’t yet have the basic necessities of life – food, water and clothing.



Here is where we need your support. If you know any orphanages or old age homes in Chennai and Bangalore (non-established ones) near your locality or have heard about them, please email me the details at imranshahnawaz@gmail.com and become a link that forms a chain of love.

Disclaimer: The motive behind this write-up is not fund raising, nor is this a promotional activity. This is just to get a small support from individuals – not in monetary form, but by showing us the path to reach the needy, orphanages and old age homes.

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